On Monday morning we flew to Adana, Türkiye where we met our translator Meric, the Hubers and our regional manager Davide. Early Tuesday morning we piled in the van for the two-plus hour drive into the Hatay region! This was Ed’s first time driving in Türkiye and he drove like a Turk weaving in and out of traffic like a local! We spent the morning visiting the three schools to make sure they were all ready for the inauguration the following day. They were all beehives of activity: teachers setting up classrooms, administrators organizing their offices and construction workers doing last minute touch ups and adjustments.
We had a delicious lunch at a unique new mall, with leaders from both companies who built the schools. Restaurant owners who lost their establishments during the earthquake came together to reopen in a new common space. We were able to taste a type of date local to the region. We were served Kunefe for dessert. It is a combination of stringy cheese and a crispy buttery pastry. Sweetened lemon water is poured over it right before it is served.
We spent the afternoon visiting organizations to discuss future humanitarian projects. One was in Iskenderun where we saw the future site of a woman’s sewing workshop. The vice mayor, who is working to create opportunities for the women of her community, invited us to her home for dinner. We enjoyed another fabulous Turkish feast.
We stayed in Antakya at a unique hotel built over ancient ruins. Modern day Antakya is the ancient city of Antioch. It was founded in 300 BC by one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Antioch reached its golden age under Roman rule and became the center of Rome’s eastern provinces. It was known for its glorious buildings, markets full of exotic and luxury goods, and its people known for their joie de vivre. Antioch became one of the most important cities of antiquity together with Rome, Alexandria and Constantinople. At our hotel/museum we strolled through remnants of magnificent villas and baths. The mosaics were fabulous.
On Wednesday morning we attended the inauguration of three schools that were built with funds donated by members of our church. It was an historic occasion attended by Yusuf Tekin, Minister of Education and two members of the Europe Central Area presidency: Elder Alliaud and Elder Gerard. Each school has 12 classrooms and will bless the lives of hundreds of children in these villages. It was a joyful morning filled with children’s singing and dancing. These earthquake victims who have lost so much were so grateful for the new schools.
The children love to practice their English and have their picture taken with us.
Humanitarian funds also provided 2,000 new back packs with school supplies for each student.
After a stop at a garage to get our tire fixed, we drove back to Adana to spend the night. On Thursday morning we flew to Ankara and caught up on work in our hotel room. We slipped away for a walk down the street to find delicious blue almonds from Mardin, Türkiye. The smell of roasted nuts filled the air.
Friday morning found us at a park in the Ankara suburb of Etimesgut, making sure that everything was in order for the YSA service activity the following morning. We spent Saturday with 25 young single adults who had gathered in Ankara from all over Türkiye for a three-day conference. Five missionaries and dozens of community leaders and members joined them in planting 80 maple trees. This was a great collaboration with the municipality. Our church donated 416 maple trees; local city government provided exercise and playground equipment, site preparation and planting of 80% of the trees. They also constructed a new road into this neighborhood. This park will provide a public space for Health and Recreation activities for community members, a protected space for a children’s play area, and a green space for families to enjoy time together.
Elder Picard and Elder Palmer and his wife Jacqueline joined us for the service project. Elder Picard is Europe Central area security manager and an Area Seventy. Elder Palmer is a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
From left to right: us, Paul Picard, Elder & Sister Palmer, Elder & Sister Petersen (YSA support for the area) and Peter Huber (District President in Türkiye)
We were able to join the YSA for dinner and a devotional on Saturday evening. The world is in good hands with these young people as the rising generation.
On Sunday we flew back to Frankfurt. We are so relieved that this week went well. So many logistics go into planning events such as these: flights, drivers, meals, gifts for dignitaries, meeting government protocols, language barriers. So many moving parts, so many trees, and so many people to coordinate! We spent so much time planning and had done all we could, so we were able to feel peace and enjoy ‘the moment’ realizing that this is the Savior’s work, and in the end (and always) He is in charge.
With love, Elder & Sister Lamb (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 